Community rallies around family of boy, 10, injured in car accident

By SUSAN CLARKUnion Leader Correspondent

GOFFSTOWN — A fund has been set up for Alex Reed, the 10-year-old who was struck by a car while walking across Mast Road on Wednesday.

Tricia Adams of Nashua and others set up the fund and through social networking have collected amounts ranging from $10 to $100. The goal is to raise $5,000 for the family. As of Thursday night, the group had raised more than $2,900. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/4ua2v0.

"I never thought we'd get this close to our goal so fast," said Adams.

Adams and Alex's mother, Mandi, are part of a mom's group called BAM, and, Adams said, the members are always there for each other.

"This is a family of six with one income. Alex's parents shouldn't have to worry about diapers for their youngest, rent, food, gas to get to and from Boston or even for that much-needed cup of coffee in the middle of the night at the hospital," said Adams.

She said Mandi and her husband, Chris, have been at Boston Children's Hospital, where the boy is still in serious condition. Adams said Alex was crossing the street to buy a bag of chips.

"Alex has a very long road of recovery. His parents will continue to have long nights and a lot of those will be sleepless nights. Please help us raise some funds to lessen some of the worry. Any little bit will help, no donation is too small," Adams said.

Fundraising will also take place at the following:

• A donation jar will be set up at the Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta at the Common on Main Street to help the family.

• Bake sale on Sunday, in the parking lot of the former Stop & Shop supermarket on South Willow Street in Manchester, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., where donations of size 6 diapers, wipes, nonperishable foods and juices will be collected.

• On Friday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Nuthin' But Good Times, at 746 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack. Proceeds from food and admission will go the family.

• On Sunday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m., Leda Lanes, at 340 Amherst St., Nashua. Bowlers pay $10, which includes pizza and soda, and proceeds go to the Reed family.• In addition, people can visit www.facebook.com and search Support for Alex, where consultants from Lia Sophia and Avon will donate a portion of their proceeds.

"If people are looking for Christmas gifts and want to buy those products, we have been guaranteed that proceeds will go to Alex's family," said Adams.In the meantime, police are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident that happened at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The name of the driver has not been identified, however, the driver is listed as a 54-year-old woman."As traumatic as it is for the family of the boy, it is also traumatic for the person involved and we're trying to give her some lead way," said Lt. Keith Chauvette. "Aside from trauma, the driver was not injured."The boy was crossing the street near 695 Mast Road near the A-1 Gas Station when he was struck, Chauvette said.

"At the time of the accident, the boy was alone but was being watched," he said.

The accident tied up traffic, but the area is usually congested at that time of day with local businesses and commuters "and the sun is setting earlier," he said.

Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be factors in the accident.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call Goffstown police at 497-4858.